That’s not the case anymore, of course. Nowadays, Detroit’s Belle Isle street circuit has the honor of holding the first race after the Indianapolis 500. But the fact remains that the Milwaukee Mile, the oldest operating speedway on the world, is a track that’s rich in history and a track that still delivers a proper test for the drivers.

The challenge lies in getting around the flat, sweeping corners (9.25 degrees of banking) properly in order to gain a strong run down the straights for potential passing opportunities. Navigating these arcing turns while dealing with a relatively narrow groove will make for a strenuous two hours or so in the car. Good handling and acceleration out of them will be important to have.

As you’ve probably gathered, this isn’t a place where you just push your right foot down to the floor and the job is done. At Milwaukee, you have to go to the edge and stay there. But you can’t go over it.

Take a virtual lap around this famous oval above and then check out the real deal this Saturday at 4 pm ET on NBC Sports Network and NBC Sports Live Extra (online/mobile devices).

It’s known as “Carburetor Day” – or in its simplest term, just “Carb Day.”

But the final day of on-track action Friday at Indianapolis Motor Speedway before Sunday’s 102nd Running of the Indianapolis 500 is so much more.

Especially on NBCSN, which will have wall-to-wall live coverage starting Friday morning.

Here’s how Friday’s schedule breaks down:

11 a.m. ET: Carb Day kicks off with the final practice for Sunday’s Indy 500. The session will last one hour in length.

12 p.m. ET: We’re going racing! Strap in for coverage of the Indy Lights’ Freedom 100 on the famous Brickyard.

1:30 p.m. ET: We’ll have coverage of the annual IndyCar Pit Stop Challenge. Which teams have the best – and most importantly, fastest and accurate – pit crews? Team Penske has won 10 of the last 12, including the last two years edging out Schmidt Peterson Motorsports each time. Who can potentially beat them this year?

1) 2016 Indy 500 winner Alexander Rossi will discuss how it used to upset him when people suggested he “backed into” his big win and how he didn’t really feel vindicated until he qualified on the front row for last year’s race.
2) Defending 500 winner Takuma Sato, the first Japanese driver to ever win at Indianapolis, discusses the impact of his big win personally and professionally, particularly back in his native land.
3) An essay by Robin Miller on Stefan Wilson giving up his ride last year to allow Fernando Alonso to race for Andretti Autosport.